Parent Newsletter
05/09/22
Dear Highland Park Parents,
I hope you had a wonderful week and got to celebrate Mother's day with your family either celebrating yourself or a loved one.
These next three weeks will be very busy with district and state testing as well as our end-of-the-year campus events. We have three weeks to encourage our students to learn as much as they can.
Students in 3rd-5th grade will be testing on several days during the month of May. Even if your student is not in 3rd-5th there will be things that affect them here at school. The campus is closed to visitors on testing days. That means parents of students at any grade level will not be able to have breakfast or lunch with their child on the days listed below.
- 05/11: Science STAAR
- 05/12: Science STAAR Make-up
- 05/16: 3rd Grade Math STAAR
- 05/17: 4th & 5th Grade Math STAAR
- 05/18: 3rd Grade Reading STAAR
- 05/19: 4th & 5th Grade Reading STAAR
- 05/20: Math & Reading STAAR Make-ups
Please check the calendar in this newsletter as well as communication from your child's classroom teacher so that you may be informed of upcoming events. As always, Thank you for all you do for our Highland Park Bulldogs.
Highland Park Bulldogs Woof!
With Thanks,
Lizbeth Ruiz
Principal
Highland Park Elementary
STAAR Testing - Important Information
We are beginning our 2022 STAAR, State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness administrations. 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders are required to take the test.
Below is the schedule for our official testing dates. Remember that the tests are timed; therefore, it is imperative that students be on time and at school on these dates.
Please try and schedule doctor’s appointments around these dates so students can be in attendance.
Please remember that on these testing dates students are required to be monitored at all times until they finish the assessment. This being the case, we ask that you remember that we want to limit visitors to our campus for these dates.
Students will need to bring their PfISD Chromebook and device charger to school on the day of their test. Please ensure the device is fully charged. Students are encouraged to bring a light jacket in case the test site is cold.
For additional information or needs, you can contact Jesus Olivas at 512-594-6817 or at jesus.olivas@pfisd.net.
Lunch
We have enjoyed having and seeing all the parents that have been able to come to lunch.
A few reminders if you come to eat lunch with your child.
- If you have never signed into HPES for lunch or to volunteer we will need to scan your Drivers License.
- Try and get here five to ten minutes before your student's scheduled lunch time. That gives you enough time to sign in, walk down to the cafeteria stage or table at the foyer and find a seat.
- You are only allowed to eat with your child (No friends, cousins, neighbors)
- We cannot pull students out of class to eat at the same time as their siblings. We do not want students to miss important instructional minutes. Please wait until your other student's lunch time to enjoy eating with them as well.
Camp Invention Offered This Summer
Boost your child’s confidence and creativity this summer at @CampInvention! Coming to Highland Park Elementary the week of July 18th. This one-week program offers unique #STEM challenges that inspire K-6 children to bring their imaginations to life. Register today to SAVE $15 on this awesome experience using SUM15. invent.org/mylocalcamp or for more information click here for a local digital flyer.
Summer Book Drive
End of Year Awards and Class Parties
Parents will be able to join us this year for end of year award ceremonies as well as class parties. Every parent or adult over 18 will need to check in and receive a badge in order to enter the school. If you have never been to the school before please make sure that you bring your driver's license. You will be able to park in the back of the school and check in as well. PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY!
5th Grade Dance, Graduation& Party - May 13 - Help Needed
Our campus is planning several events to celebrate our Graduating 5th graders.
- 5th Grade Dance: May 13 - 5:30- 7:30 p.m.
- 5th Grade Graduation- May 25th at 8:30 a.m. (Back Patio)
- 5th Grade Party: May 25th -1:05- 2:30 p.m.
This is our first in-person graduation, dance, and party after being on a closed campus for two years. We are kindly asking for help with chaperoning the dance, providing snacks, donations, etc.
Boosteerthon has set up an online store to purchase 5th-grade Graduation shirts and memorabilia is coming soon! The link to the online store will be shared soon!
Below is a google form that will allow you to help our 5th-grade team get ready for the 5th grade Dance, Graduation, and Graduation Party. If you are able to help, we truly appreciate it, if you cannot help, that is ok, we still love and appreciate you!
Google form:
2021-2022 Yearbook
Below is the link that will allow you to order a yearbook. Use the link to go to our PTO website and you can order from there.
If you are interested in buying one but want to pay in cash or check, a small form went home last week. Attach the money and we will get it to PTO. (additional forms available at our front office)
Library End Of Year Dates
- Pegasus, PreK, K, 1st-Return all books: Monday, May 9th. (Inventory begins!)
- 2nd-5th Grade: 4th Nine Weeks AR Goal Deadline & LAST DAY TO CHECK OUT books! Monday, May 16th
- 3rd-5th Grade: Return all library books after STAAR testing-Thursday, May 19th
- EOY AR Celebration: Friday, May 20th
- Million Word Club VIP Celebration (Come and Go-Snacks and Drinks in the Library for Millionaires) Tuesday, May 24th
2021-2022 Breakfast & Lunch Menu
Visit pfisd.nutrislice.com for interactive menus, nutritional information, and more!
Beginning Monday, November 2, 2020, all USDA Reimbursable Breakfast and Lunch meals are free! A la carte and seconds are not included. *This program has been extended during the 21-22 school year.
Assessments
- 04/25-05/20: EOY Testing K-5
- 05/11: Science STAAR
- 05/16: 3rd Grade Math STAAR
- 05/17: 4th & 5th Grade Math STAAR
- 05/18: 3rd Grade Reading STAAR
- 05/19: 4th & 5th Grade Reading STAAR
- 05/20: STAAR Make-ups
- 05/13-05/26- 4th 9 Weeks DA - Grades 3-5
PreK and Kindergarten Summer Program
Pre-K and Kindergarten Bilingual and ESL
Dates: June 1, 2022 - June 24, 2022
Time: 7:30 am - 3:00 pm
Location: Ruth Barron Elementary School
TUITION: Free
Transportation and Meals Provided
Principal: Griselda Cervantes
Phone: 512-594-4016
Email: Griselda.Cervantes@pfisd.net
For identified Bilingual and ESL Pre-K and Kindergarten students. Registration forms will be completed with teacher assistance in May 2022.
Free & Reduced Lunch Application 22-23
The free meals program provided by the USDA and Texas Department of Agriculture for all PfISD students during the pandemic will end with the 2021-22 school year. Starting with the 2022-23 school year, students must complete the necessary form to receive free or reduced meals.
PfISD is encouraging families who feel they may qualify for the free/reduced meal program to complete the forms this year as it will give their students coverage for the first 30 days of next school year. Then, they will need to complete an application at the beginning of next school year to receive benefits all year long.
GUEST EDUCATORS NEEDED
PfISD is currently in need of more substitutes and guest educators, and we strive to provide the best possible qualified substitutes to ensure the quality of educators our students have. If you enjoy working with kids and can work on an on-call basis, being a substitute teacher may be for you.
To qualify to serve as a substitute in PfISD, you must be at least 21 years of age and have a high school diploma. If you hold a valid teaching certificate, are bilingual in Spanish or Vietnamese or have extensive skills/background in a high-need area, your qualification consideration is accelerated.
Applicants must complete an application online here.
Remember ...
- Wednesday College Shirt
- Check the calendar, we have many events coming up!
KUDOS
Have a co-worker who really matters and whom you want to recognize? Let’s recognize our HPES Bulldogs, no kudos is too big or too small!
Campus Kudos:
- Karen Lowther, Cathy Doung, Veronica Jimenez, and Jay Lubman: Thank you for serving on our interview committees this last week. We know it is not ideal to pull you or have you stay after work, and we truly appreciate your help[ing us out!
- 3rd- 5th Grade Teachers: Diligently and tirelessly providing morning tutoring to students to get them ready for STAAR. They work so hard to hit the mark and provide rigor for our students. Even amid our COVID struggles, STAAR scores at HPES remain high and it has to do with these amazing teachers! Woot! Woot!
- All the office staff and admin: for being so amazing when I come in and sub in the office. I brag about you all the time!
- The amazing staff at Highland Park: Love coming in to help sub in the office everyone at Highland Park is so friendly and so welcoming makes me want to keep coming back! Amazing school!
- Second Grade Team: for going with the flow and supporting third grade by switching their last guidance lesson time with us. Because of this, our students were able to focus on their mock STAAR tests and celebrate their growth and success! Thank you so much for your understanding and support!
- 1st-grade teachers: consistently set high expectations in the classroom and in the hallways. The work they display is incredible and the hallway expectations are as rock solid as they were at the beginning of the year. Thank you 1st grade for not missing a beat!
- Ingrid Fardjallah: for always being there for PreK in times of need and being a beacon of positivity wherever she goes.
- Ms. Maurer: for always getting SPED paperwork back in a timely manner with detailed information! Thanks, Ms. Maurer!
Superintendents Kudos:
- Highland Park Elementary Intervention Team (Brianna Thompson, Kristen Kimbell, Monica Bastida, Freddy Diaz and Jenny Banales) (via Catherine Duong): “For bending over backwards and shifting their schedule to support third-grade’s second round of Mock STAAR. These amazing teachers understood how important this data was for us to plan in the weeks ahead and did everything in their power to provide our students with small group testing while continuing to miraculously cover each other's minutes. For every obstacle encountered, this team problem solved flawlessly and made the impossible possible! We are so very appreciative!”
HPES Bulldog Weekly News Kudos
Remember, one small positive thought or compliment can change a person's entire day. :)
HPES PTO
We are lucky to have such a wonderful PTO at our school who helps us in so many ways! Please consider joining this wonderful group of parents and join HPES Team!
Next PTO Meeting:
Date: May 19 6:30 -7:30
Time 6:30-7:30p.m.
Location: HPES Cafeteria
Stay connected with the HPES PTO!
Website: https://hpespto.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/highlandparkelementarypto/
Instagram: @hpes.pto
Text at @HPESPTO to 81010 to get event info via text!
Summer Learning
Summer is just around the corner and we want our HPES Bulldogs to continue learning. A great resource is Pebble Go. All students have access through Clever. They recently add new articles.
Great Things Happening at HPES
NOAH RODRIGUEZ MEMORIAL CLASS OF 2022 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Congratulations to our Highland Park Elementary – Noah Rodriguez Memorial Class of 2022 scholarship recipients: Marah Kluge, Golden Nguyen, and Grace Parrott. Their high school accomplishments and educational goals in engineering, biomedical science, and education are very inspiring. We wish the very best to these Bulldogs and their fellow graduates in all their future endeavors.
This scholarship is a collaboration of the scholarship fund and Highland Park Elementary with their annual Slime Your Teacher fundraiser; where current Bulldog students raise money for graduating Bulldog students. We hope that the spirit of this award will make a lasting impact in the lives of our recipients to pay it forward someday, in reflection of both the support of their community and Noah’s love of learning and kindness.
Upcoming Events
May 6- May 12- Nurse Appreciation Week
May 9- Sign Language & Choir Concert - 6:30 in the cafeteria (doors will open at 6:10)
May 11-5th Grade Science STAAR
May 13- 5th Grade Dance
May 13- Kinder Donuts with Dad 7:20-7:35
May 16- 4th 9 Wks AR Deadline
May 17- Field Trip Kinder - Austin Nature Center
May 19- PTO Meeting 6:30-7:30
May 20- Pegasus Graduation at 8:00 (gym)
May 20- PK Awards - Maurer- 1:30-2:30 (classroom)
May 20- AR Celebration
May 23- 1st Grade Awards - 8:15 - 9:15 (cafeteria)
May 23- 4th Grade Awards - 1:30-2:30 (cafeteria)
May 23- PALS Fieldtrip - HHS
May 23- Fieldtrip - 3rd Grade - Meadows Center
May 24- Kinder Graduation - 8:30 - 9:30 (cafeteria)
May 24- 3rd Grade Awards- 1:30-2:30 (cafeteria)
May 24- PK Awards- Mendez- 1:30-2:30 (classroom)
May 25- 5th Grade Graduation - 8:30-9:30 (back patio)
May 25- 2nd Grade Awards- 1:30-2:30 (cafeteria)
May 25- End of the Year Class Parties
May 26- 5th Grade Walk 11:00 (main hallway)
May 26- Last Day - Early Release 12:00
3rd - 5th Grade Morning Tutoring
The staff of Highland Park Elementary is striving to support our students in multiple ways including campus-wide tutoring. To help students who need extra instruction, practice on specific skills, or instruction on advanced level performance we will be providing tutoring/enrichment for your child.
To ensure that students are getting instruction targeted for their specific needs, we have created targeted instructional groups. This means that for this portion of the day your child may be getting their instruction from a staff member other than their classroom teacher.
Tutoring will be on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday beginning at 7:30 and will be incorporated into our instructional day that will last until 8:15. Reading and/or Math tutoring will begin Tuesday, March 22nd. This instruction is extremely important to support student success.
For tutoring to be effective, it is very important that students attend tutoring for the entirety of the tutoring time. We ask for parents to have their child arrive at school before 7:25 so they can begin morning tutoring by 7:30 AM.
3rd- 5th-grade teachers will share class-specific information.
Thank you for your support as we help our students grow.
Visitor Updates
We know you have patiently waited for the opportunity to visit our campus, and we are excited to be able to welcome you back!
Our campus will resume our pre-COVID standard operating procedures for campus visitors, where all parents and visitors must check in at the front office with their government-issued ID. Please take a minute to review the procedures below.
HPES has the following procedures in place for campus visitors:
Morning Arrival: Parents may walk their child down the main hallway. If a parent would like to walk their child to class, they will need to sign in the front office where they will receive a visitors pass. We do not allow any visitors into the hallway wings without a visitors pass. This pass/sticker must be worn on the front of your shirt where it is easily visible by staff. If you do not have the visitor pass, you will not be allowed to walk down to the classroom and only be allowed down the main hallway. Please keep in mind that classes begin at 7:35.
Morning Breakfast: Parents are welcome to eat breakfast with their children. Breakfast is served from 7:15-7:35 in the cafeteria. Parents will need to sign in the front office and receive a visitors pass/sticker. Please wear this sticker on the front of your shirt. Parents will need to sit with their students at the stage tables or the two round tables in the foyer. Please only invite your child to eat with you. Inviting your child's friends is not allowed. With close to 750 students, we are limited in space and kindly ask that you save this treat for special occasions.
Lunch: Parents are welcome to eat lunch with their children. Please check with your child's teacher for specific class time lunch. Parents will need to sign in the front office and receive a visitors pass/sticker. Please wear this sticker on the front of your shirt. Parents will need to sit with their students at the stage tables or the round tables in the foyer. Please only invite your child to eat with you. Inviting your child's friends is not allowed. With close to 750 students, we are limited in space and kindly ask that you save this treat for special occasions.
Dismissal: We will continue following the dismissal procedures that we currently have in place. Visitors will not be allowed in the foyer during dismissal time. This is to ensure the safety of all students.
Additional Information: Parents and guardians can resume chaperoning, volunteering, attending performances, lunches, awards banquets, field days, field trips, etc. Parents must complete the volunteer application to chaperone on field trips and any other volunteer opportunities. (www.pfisd.net/volunteers)
We encourage you to exercise proven preventive measures to minimize personal risk if you visit our campuses by wearing a mask, social distancing, and practicing effective hand hygiene.
DISMISSAL REMINDERS
Parents, we have had several questions about what time each hallway is dismissed. If you have a student whose class is in the 300 or 400 hallway- please keep in mind those are the last two hallways we dismiss. We kindly ask that you do not wait in the front of the line as it will hold up the lower grades loading the vehicles.
Students are dismissed in the following order:
2:40: Bus Riders/Daycare
2:42: Pre K /Pegasus
2:44: 100 Hallway
2:46: 200 Hallway
2:48: 300 Hallway
2:50: 400 Hallway
The first group to be dismissed: Bus riders will be called over the intercom. These students will go to the bus area and will line up in their bus line order. Once these students are in order, they will board their bus.
The second group to be dismissed PK & Pegasus, followed by 100, 200, 300, and 400 hallway students in order. Teachers will escort the students to their designated areas. See below:
Bike riders & walkers: Students will walk in line order and be dismissed by the flagpoles. We will have staff on duty that will walk them off school grounds.
Parent walk-up: Students whose parents park and walk-up will be dismissed at the grassy area to the right of the flagpoles. We will have marked locations for parents to maintain social distancing.
Car riders: students will sit at the front of the campus at the assigned grade level area. Students will be asked to sit and wait for their parents while maintaining social distance.
- Note: On rainy days, or weather/windchill below 32 degrees, we will follow an alternate dismissal. All students with the exception of bus riders will be dismissed from inside the school. PK-2nd grade will be in the cafeteria, and 3rd - 5th grade will be in the main hallway.
ARRIVAL PROCESS
HPES staff will be on duty to support students during morning arrival.
7:10 a.m Bus students arrive on campus
7:15 a.m Front Doors open for car riders, walkers, and bike riders
7:20 a.m. Teachers will welcome students into their classrooms
7:35 a.m. First Bell- Students dismissed from the cafeteria if eating breakfast
7:40 a.m. Tardy Bell- Students arriving after this time report directly to the office
The building will open at 7:10 a.m. for bus riders and 7:15 a.m. for car riders and walkers.
Parents/Guardians will not be allowed to walk students in.
Bus riders will enter the building through the 100 hallway doors adjacent to the bus loop at 7:10 a.m. If they are eating breakfast they will go directly to the cafeteria, if they are not eating breakfast they will go to the gym and wait. The bus riders in the gym will be sent to class at 7:15.
Car riders and walkers will enter the building through the front entrance at 7:15 a.m.
Walkers and car riders that arrive early will wait outside.
Upon entering the building car riders, walkers, and bike riders will go to either the cafeteria or their classroom.
CAR DROP OFF REMINDERS
With over 720 students learning on campus we have noticed morning traffic is heavier than usual. Please remember the tardy bell rings at 7:35, instruction begins promptly, and every minute counts. We need your help with a few key things that we think will help with morning drop-off.
- When dropping off your child please make sure they have everything ready, backpack, lunch bag, water bottle, and face mask. Students should exit on the right side of the vehicle as the left side has passing vehicles.
- If you are needing to help your child out of the car or get their things ready, please pull into our parking lot and park. You will need to then walk your child across the crosswalk to the front door.
- Please do not park and send your child alone across the parking lot, there are many moving vehicles and this is very unsafe.
- When exiting the campus parking lot, please note that there is a "DO NOT TURN LEFT" sign below the stop sign. As you exit, please turn right towards Heatherwilde and not towards the neighborhood. Turning left holds up the drop-off line, may cause students to be late, upset parents behind you, and unnecessary stress to students getting dropped off.
- Finally please be kind to our staff on duty. These staff members are outside at 7:15 a.m. every day rain or shine to help get our students in the building. We understand at times stress is high, but we need to work together, provide each other grace, and support one another.
- Please know that our number one priority is student safety. We love our students and want to welcome everyone in a happy and safe environment.
We are hoping the key actions above will help everyone get to their destination safely and on time. As always, we thank you for your help and support!
DISMISSAL MAP
Please make sure to review our dismissal updates and map below.
Beginning August 23, the bus loop will be used for BUSSES & DAYCARE ONLY. We are asking parents to please not drive or park in the bus loop area.
- The only exception is if you have a handicap tag and are handicapped parking is available in this area.
- If you are needing to park and pick up your child, you may park at the front of the school parking area, or on Kingston Lacy.
- If you are parked at the bus loop, one of our staff members will be asking you to move your vehicle.
- If you are driving through the bus loop, one of our staff members will be asking you to turn around and exit the bus loop.
- This is to ensure the safety of students as they are dismissed through the 100 & 300 hallways.
Stay Informed
LET'S TALK PLATFORM FOR PARENT QUESTIONS
Our Let's Talk platform is designed for parents to ask questions or submit comments. It has a submission for questions on the following topics: Payroll, Food Services/Meals, Technology, HR/Benefits/Leaves, Online Learning, Google Classroom, and General Coronavirus Questions. Additionally, there is a section for each campus to direct any questions or comments directly to the principal and the senior administrative associate a the campus. Click here to learn more about the system.
COMMUNICATION GUIDE
Every summer, there are staffing changes. Staff members move on to other opportunities, and new staff members join the campus. Before emailing a staff member from last school year, it would be wise to check with our front office staff. It is also a good idea to consider which staff member is your first point of contact for questions before you send your email. You may also call the front office at 512-594-6800 and ask for the person you need to speak with. I hope this information is helpful!
Senior Admin. Associate: Anita Moreno – anita.moreno@pfisd.net
General questions regarding scheduling, procedures, teacher information, leave requests, substitutes, purchase orders (for your classroom/students), monthly and bi-weekly payroll, supplemental pay, staff travel, events, field trips, website updates, FB page, maintenance orders, after-hours events, fundraisers (any collection of money), Picture days, etc.
Registrar: Miriam Ruvalcaba – miriam.ruvalcaba@pfisd.net
Student records, registration, residency questions, attendance, transfers, withdrawal, and student records.
Student Support Clerical Support: - Yaira Torres - :yaira.torres@pfisd.net
Schedule LPAC and 504 meetings, and gather student grades, relevant classroom, and health data.
Nurse: Christina Henderson – christina.henderson@pfisd.net
Shot records, allergy information, distribution of medication, general student health, Section 504, and SpEd as related to health, etc.
Instructional Coach: Gina Lochner – regina.lochner@pfisd.net
General questions regarding master scheduling, campus procedures, curriculum, resources, SWAT, professional development, mentoring, lesson modeling, and virtually anything teachers need regarding curriculum and instruction.
Counselor: Anna Vazquez – anna.vazquez@pfisd.net
Student care and concerns, parent and student support, Credit by Exam, Gifted and Talented information, assessment, and Section 504
Assistant Principal: Jesus Olivas –jesus.olivas@pfisd.net
Primary contact regarding discipline, LPAC, and SpEd. Additionally, virtually everything you would contact Ms. Ruiz for. It is a good idea to copy Mr. Olivas on emails sent to Ms. Ruiz because both of them are able to respond to questions or concerns.
Principal: Lizbeth Ruiz – lizbeth.ruiz@pfisd.net
Any and all topics not covered by the staff members listed above.
Please feel free to email or call us if you are needing support. We look forward to passionately serving the families of Highland Park Elementary!
Highland Park Elementary School
Website: https://www.pfisd.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=37
Location: 428 Kingston Lacy Blvd, Pflugerville, TX, USA
Phone: 512.594.6800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HighlandParkES/
Twitter: @HighlandPark_ES